Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 Subaru Ascent

The CX-9 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-9 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers rear cross-path warning.

Both the CX-9 and the Ascent have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Subaru Ascent:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Ascent:

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the CX-9 is 1.1% to 1.9% less likely to roll over than the Ascent.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-9’s reliability 13 points higher than the Ascent.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Subaru.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 7th.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-9 is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better fuel mileage than the Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx (20 city/26 hwy vs. 19 city/25 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-9 higher (5 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (3). This means the CX-9 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

The CX-9 stops shorter than the Ascent:

For better traction, the CX-9 has larger tires than the Ascent (255/60R18 vs. 245/60R18).

The CX-9 has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Ascent (115.3 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the Ascent Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Ascent Touring (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Ascent (8.8 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CX-9 Signature is quieter than the Ascent Touring:

The CX-9’s cargo area is larger than the Ascent’s in almost every dimension:

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ascent doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The CX-9’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ascent’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-9’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the CX-9’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-9’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ascent’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CX-9’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Ascent.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-9 is less expensive to operate than the Ascent because it costs $273 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-9 than the Ascent, including $270 less for a starter and $236 less for front struts.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-9 and the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its September 2018 issue and the Mazda CX-9 Signature won out over the Subaru Ascent Touring.